During the Civil War, both the North as well as the South developed their own currency. Ripped apart by war and teetering on bankruptcy, Congress ordered the printing of a number of notes. These Large Size Notes were commonly called horse blankets because of their dimensions. Issued from 1861 to 1928, their original size was approximately 7.42 inches by 3.13 inches. Cost cutting measures have reduced todays note to the more familiar 6.14 inches by 2.61 inches. Demand Notes or Greenbacks minted only in 1861 represent Americas first type of Federal Bank money.

All notes that was printed and issued to the public is still legal tender today and can be redeemed to any bank for face value. They exception is the 1900 $10,000 gold certificate that was tossed out of a window during a fire in 1936. They were punched cancelled and therefor have no face value for redemption except for collectors.

United States Legal Tender (United States Notes) notes consisted of five issues:

The first issue of March 10, 1862, was issued in denominations of $5, $10, $20, $50, $100, $500 and $1,000. There are two seperate obligationson the reverse side of these notes.

The second issue, dated August 1, 1862, was confined to $1 and $2 notes, although the face design does indicate that a $3 denomination was planned, but not released.

The third issue, dated March 10, 1863, was printed in the same denominations as the first issue, but changes were made to the back design.

The fourth issue was printed under authority of the Congressional Act of March 3rd, 1863. These notes were issued from $1 to $10,000 denominations and included the of Series 1869, 1874, 1878, 1880, 1907, 1917 and 1923, with all except the 1869 notes carrying the designation "United States Note." The 1869 series was designated as "Treasury Note." The United States introduced paper with silk threads as a deterrent to counterfeiting with the Series 1869 notes.

The fifth issue was limited to the $10 denomination series of 1901. (The Bison Note). These notes were issued under the authority of the Legal Tender Acts of 1862 and 1863.

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This is one of those notes that I just had to buy as it would qualify to go into the Jhon E Cash Collection. This is part of a famous collection that was auctioned off at the Baltimore Show on March ...

This is a 1869 $5 Legal Tender or commonly referred to as a Rainbow or Pioneer note. It features Andrew Jackson the seventh President of the US from 1829 to 1833. At the center is s painting of the Pi...

This is an outstanding example of the earlier 1878 $5 Legal Tender or commonly refered to as the Woodchopper or Pioneer note. The serail number is A5747304 and is in a GEM PCGS-65PPQ holder. It also f...

This is a 1907 Legal Tender star or a Fr.-88* Type 1, with only 6 known. Type 1 is described as when the plate number 577 on the bottom left side is "below" the plate letter C. You will notice the pl...

This is the finest 1907 $5 Legal Tender Star know to exist to date. There are only 4 UNC's known. Check the scans to verify what I just stated. Murrays Book of Large Size Star Notes lists this note at $5500 in UNC. I don't believe this note will cross ove...

Here is a star note you dont see too often. Its the FR-88* or a 1907 $5 Legal tender star note. this note is sometimes referred to as the Pioneer Family or Woodchopper Note. This is a type 1 note. Although circulated there are no rips, tears pr pinholes....

This is a 1907 $5 Legal Tender star or a Fr.-88* Type 1, with only 6 known according to Doug Murrays new book US Large Size Star Notes. It list for $1400 in VF, when you find one! Type 1 is described as when the plate number D670 on the bottom right side ...

This is a cool Fr-91* or a 1907 $5 legal tender star note. although it is circulated there are no rips, tears, pinholes or missing pieces. It has never been cleaned or pressed. Check the scans. The serial number is *2323379B. This note is commonly refered...